News:

10/5/2008
BRN / KUW – Muharraq rally past Qadsia
KUWAIT (FIBA Asia Champions Cup): Bahrain champions Al Muharraq staged a splendid second session rally and overcame the defiance of hosts Al Qadsia in a crucial Group ‘B’ encounter at the 19th FIBA Asia Champions Cup on Saturday. The 83-69 win pushed Muharraq to the top of the table, a position they share with UAE’s Al Wasl. Muharraq take on Wasl on Sunday.It was Qadsia who controlled the proceedings for the first two quarters of the encounter. Muharraq coach John Wojtak termed it “our defense wasn’t working at all,” but credit must be given to import Alpha Bangura and Abdulaziz Mohammad for keeping the hosts in contention. Each accounted for 15 points.

Muharraq, having played the second fiddle for a good part, began to find their rhythm at the start of the second session. “Donald (Little) gave us a lot of options and I think we hit the groove early in the third quarter,” Wojtak said.
Little contributed 15 points, but the more effective performance for Muharraq came from Mohammed Alderazi, who with 20 points and four defensive rebounds, walked away with the MVP award.
Scores
Al Muharraq, Bahrain 83 (Mohammed Alderazi 20, Donald Little 15, Rahshun Roberts 13, Mohammad Mohammad 13) bt Al Qadsia, Kuwait 69 (Alpha Bangura 15, Abdulaziz Mohammad 15, Shayee Saeed 14).
Quarterwise: 19-22, 35-37, 56-52.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia

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LIB / JOR – Another heartbreak loss for Zain, this time to Riyadi
KUWAIT (FIBA Asia Champions Cup): West Asian giants Al Riyadi Beirut and Zain set alight the Al Qadsia Sporting Club with a fantastic show of passion, panache and persuasive basketball in a needle Group ‘A’ encounter in the 19th FIBA Asia Champions Cup on Saturday.That Zain suffered another loss in the tournament, with the scoreline reading 72-71 in favour of Riyadi, was completely overshadowed in the excitement of the contest. With fans, Riyadi seemed to enjoy the edge in this department too, pouring in like never before in the tournament, the two teams fought on even keel till the final hooter.

The tension was almost tangible with the exchange of ‘throw outs’ in the dying moments of the game standing as the perfect example for the edginess on either front. With just about a second left on the clock, Riyadi earned a throw-in, inside the rival half of the court. Ismael Ahmad who took the throw hurled it out, as Riyadi hearts started beating that much faster. But fortunately, Zaid Abbas, who lined-up for the consequent throw-in for Zain, too did exactly the same, flinging the ball out of play.
“Those would have made the Fox’s funniest moments,” quipped Zain coach Mazen Trakh.
Those two probably were the only funny moments in the no-quarter-given-none-sought game.
Owe it to the familiarity of their rivals and their own formidability, both Zain and Riyadi took to the court with a fair mixture of confidence and caution. Respect for the opponents was quite apparent but that did not hinder either to making some attractive forays into the rival territories.
If Omar Turk scattered the Zain defense with his precise shooting from the perimeter, Rayyan were rattled by the speed and skills of Hilam Fuller. Joe Vogel and Fadi El Khatib looked rather distracted, but Riyadi found their saviors in Ismael Ahmad and Ali Mahmoud. And for Zain, Boney Watson joined forces with Foller in keeping them afloat.
Watson picked the MVP for the game with 21 points and three assists as Foller scored as many points as Watson besides collecting 11 rebounds – eight in defense.
Omar Turk, with five three-pointers, topped the scoring for Riyadi with 20 points and also accounted for four defense rebounds. Ismael Ahmad had a statistically satisfying day picking up eight rebounds, four steals and two assists to support his 17 points.
“Book your tickets early if the two of us are playing. For it’s sure to fetch your money’s worth,” Trakh gushed later.
“There’s nothing you can talk about these games. Or you can talk a lot of things. It’s one of those games,” Trakh added.
“I would have wanted to seal in the third quarter, but then we lost our two point guards at the crucial moment,” said Riyadi coach Fuad Abu Chakra. Ramy Aikiki went out with an injury and Omar Turk himself was fouled out.
“Also were scared of Ismail Ahmad also getting fouled out,” Abu Chakra added. “As a result, we had to slow down and they utilized.”
“They are a very good side for starters. And when we give such opportunities, the game is bound to be this close,” he said.
Scores
Al Riyadi Beirut, Lebanon 72 (Omar Turk 20, Ismael Ahmad 17, Ali Mahmoud 13) bt Zain, Jordan 71 (Boney Watson 21, Hilam Fuller 21).
Quarterwise: 17-17, 43-36, 62-51.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia

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10/5/2008
KAZ / INA – Almaty send MABU hurtling
KUWAIT (FIBA Asia Champions Cup): Kazakhstan’s BK Almaty recorded a 71-49 win over MABU Hangtuah of Indonesia 71-49 to keep their hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals from Group ‘A’ alive in the 19th FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

The defeat effectively left the Indonesian combination staring at the play-offs for the minor placings, going by the form and fame books.
Aware that a win would enhance the opportunities to move ahead, Almaty coach Alexey Yeropkin used the strongest line-up he could manage.
“We knew this was our best chance to post a victory. I’m happy the boys capitalized on it,” he added.
“Our chances are better to make the quarterfinals now. Hopefully, we can pick a few tricks in the next games to help us do better in the last eight,” he said.
Scores
BK Almaty, Kazakhstan 71 (Anton Kataev 19, Vsevolod Fadeikin 14, Mikhail Yevstigneyev 12) bt MABU Hangtuah, Indonesia 49 (Adhitya Tuhagono 13, Marcus Jacobs 12).
Quarterwise: 25-14, 30-23, 54-29.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia

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UAE / IND –Wasl cruise past ONGC
KUWAIT (FIBA Asia Champions Cup): Oil and Natural Gas Commission, Dehradun put out the best display of their 19th FIBA Asia Champions Cup Group ‘B’ campaign on Saturday, yet fell way behind in terms of making a difference to an adverse result in the scoreline. Pitted against Emirates’ Al Wasl, who beat defending champions Saba Battery on Friday, the Indian outfit were rather gallant and worked hard, but that was not good enough.

I think they played very well. In fact on a lot of occasions, we were caught off guard,” Wasl coach Abdul Hameed Ibrahim said after his side won 102-72.
“The boys are rather upbeat after last night’s win. And I’m glad they continued in the same rhythm,” he said.
Ayoub Albalooshi top scored the game with a record 41 points that was the force behind Wasl’s victory. All the others contributed as much as everybody else, even in terms of scoring as the Emirians raced away.
Trideep Rai and Desraj shared the spoils for ONGC with 15 points each.
Scores
Al Wasl, UAE 102 (Ayoub Albalooshi 41) bt ONGC, India (72 (Desraj 15, Trideep Rai 15).
Quarterwise: 27-16, 49-36, 79-60.

S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia

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